V. Klitschko-Charr to begin HBO’s Sept. 8 Ward-Dawson broadcast

HBO will televise a tape-delayed defense by WBC heavyweight titleholder Vitali Klitschko against unbeaten Manuel Charr from on Sept. 8 prior to its live broadcast of the clash between RING light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson and RING super middleweight champion Andre Ward from Oracle Arena in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, Calif., RingTV.com has learned.

Ward (25-0, 13 knockouts) will defend his RING, WBA and WBC belts against Dawson (31-1, 17 KOs), this, after 6-foot-7 Klitschko (44-2, 40 knockouts) will already have pursued his 13th straight victory in defense of his crown against the 6-4 Charr (21-0, 11 KOs) of Germany at Olympisky Sport Hall in Moscow.

Having already have taken place at night in Russia but earlier in the afternoon in America, Klitschko-Charr will be televised starting at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT as the lead-in to HBO’s live showing of Ward-Dawson.

Klitschko, who will turn 41 on July 19, is coming off a unanimous decision over Dereck Chisora in March that ran his record to 44-2 with 40 knockouts. Klitschko’s last loss was more than nine years ago by disputed sixth-round technical stoppage (on cuts) to Lennox Lewis in June of 2003.

More than 30,000 spectators are expected to fill the arena for the event, which marks the 17th time Klitschko will fight in Moscow.

THE RING’s No. 1-rated heavyweight, Klitschko has dominated the division along with his 36-year-old brother, RING champion Wladimir Klitschko (58-3, 51 KOs), who has won 16 straight fights.